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| Poster artwork for the action adventure science fiction comedy drama film Thor. |
Shakespearean
Superhero by Linh
Marvel Studios found success with the Iron Man film franchise and have another
hit with comic-book film adaptation of Thor,
the God of Thunder. The film bears some
sophistication yet with a bit of silliness that sends-up the oddities of mythic
hero with modern day human heroics. Thor’s director/actor, Kenneth Branagh
has a solid background in theatre and particularly in Shakespearean plays, so
it’s no surprise he has cleverly included references to some of Shakespeare’s
heroes in the film.
Thor is
set between two worlds – the mythical world of Asgard/Frost Giants and
contemporary Earth. It tells the story
of a young head-strong but hot-headed prince and God named Thor (Chris
Hemsworth), who sets out to prove his worthiness of being King of Asgard by
seeking revenge on his enemies the Frost Giants – a race of people who live in
a cold and icy climate. Crossing the
rainbow bridge called Bifrost is the only way to travel from one “realm” to
another, and Thor’s hasty actions violate the peace treaty between Asgard and the
Frost Giants. His father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) strips Thor of his powers and
his hammer named Mjolnir, then banishes him to Earth. Thor’s hammer is also
cast down to Earth. As he tumbles towards Earth, Thor is accidentally hit by
Jane Foster’s (Natalie Portman) car and his time on Earth teaches him how to be
a worthy man without magical powers before he can be a true hero with
superhuman powers.
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THUNDEROUS
THOR: Thor (Chris Hemsworth) shows he is worthy of being King
of Asgard in the film Thor. Image:
Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.
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The cast is a contemporary mix of British, American,
Asian and Australian actors who do a fine job bringing humour to their
characters and action to the film. Australian actor Chris Hemsworth (Red Dawn, The Avengers) reportedly won the role of Thor over his younger
brother Liam (The Hunger Games, Arabian Nights) in auditions and he
certainly makes Thor sound bold and brash with his Aussie accent and muscled-up
physique. Hemsworth was convincing in portraying Thor’s conflicting nature of
head versus heart to win his way back into Asgard and into the heart of a
mortal woman, to become truly worthy of Mjolnir and be King.
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SUPERHERO
SUCCESSOR: Odin (Anthony Hopkins) prepares to hand over power to
his son Thor (Chris Hemsworth) in the film Thor.
Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.
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Academy Award winner Natalie Portman (Black Swan, Knight of Cups) is the astrophysicist Jane Foster who is obsessed
with a phenomenon that involves crossing from one galaxy/universe to another
via a bridge in space. Jane’s many years of work is confirmed when Thor lands
on Earth, and she shows him how patience and perseverance can achieve
wonders. Portman is excellent as the smart
and attractive Jane, and she makes nerdy look sexy.
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ASCERTAINING
ASTROPHYSICS: Jane (Natalie Portman) is close to
discovering astrophysical phenomena in the New Mexico desert in the film Thor.
Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.
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British thespian Tom Hiddleston (War Horse, The Avengers)
is outstanding as Loki, the resentful and softly-spoken brother of Thor. Loki
has a sad background and Odin had plans to raise Loki as a future King to keep
the peace between Asgard and the frost Giants.
Loki rebels against his father and in a final confrontation with Thor,
he turns to the dark side. Hiddleston gives Loki the perfect personality mix of
steely coldness and vagueness in facial expression that raises questions about
the intent of Loki’s actions and thoughts.
The supporting cast moves around the lead characters as
helpers, supporters and enemies including Anthony Hopkins, wonderful as Odin,
the ageing but diplomatic King of Asgard; raven-haired beauty Jaimie Alexander
is tough and fearless as Lady Sif, who is Thor’s friend and warrior in Asgard;
Colm Feore is exceptionally evil as King Laufey, the leader of the Frost
Giants; Rene Russo has a small role as Queen Frigga, but is elegant and
protective as Thor’s mother and faithful wife to Odin; Ray Stevenson is
Asgard’s comic relief, warrior Volstagg, whose appetite is as big as his heart;
Idris Elba is memorable as Heimdall, the gatekeeper of the Bifrost, and he sees
and hears everything that goes on in all nine realms; Stellan Skarsgård seems
under-used as Erik Selvig, Jane’s mentor and colleague, but he does appear more
in the film The Avengers; Kat
Dennings is feisty as the Earth-bound comic relief Darcy, who is the assistant
to Jane and Erik.
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RAGING
RESENTMENT: Loki (Tom Hiddleston) seeks his powers from
the source belonging to the Frost Giants in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.
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Thor has
all the elements of a fun and exciting superhero action film but it has some
minor flaws that mostly involve visuals. The numerous scenes that appear
lopsided or on an angle may signify confusion or something terrible is about to
occur. There are a few too many of such angled scenes and most of the film
could do without it. The film is engaging enough to do without the 3D
technology, such as in the action sequences and some of its CGI settings. The
golden bronze colours of Asgard, its people and the buildings are meant to
produce binary opposites with its arch-enemies the Frost Giants, but the CGI
used to create Asgard seem dull and could be spruced up with majestic
Elizabethan/Jacobean architecture seen during Shakespeare’s days. However, the
Asgard architecture is reminiscent of the horns on Viking helmets and does seem
strangely apt.
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FEARLESS
FIGHTER: Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander) show brawns and beauty during
battle in the film Thor. Image: Paramount
Pictures, Marvel Studios.
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Shakespearean references in the film are fun to spot for
those inclined, and they include Thor walking into a pet store and demanding a
horse (from the play Richard III) and
his duel with Loki involving the “madness” dialogue (from Hamlet). Thor speaks, dresses and displays the customs and mannerisms
of an Elizabethan King or Prince in Shakespeare’s plays which rub off on some
of the modern day characters, who in turn bow or curtsy to him.
Thor is
typically a favourite for comic book fans but is also a great basic
introduction for newbies to Norse mythology and its heroes and villains. The
film carries common themes of good versus evil and powerlessness and
empowerment that most viewers will recognise.
It also follows the usual narratives in epic dramas such as a son
attempting to usurp his father to be King, a protagonist discovering his
courage to become a hero etc.
If you sit through the entire end credits, while enjoying
The Foo Fighters’ song “Walk”, then you’ll be rewarded with a sneak peek at the
film, The Avengers.
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MYTH
MAKERS: Jane (Natalie Portman) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth)
compare notes on science and magic in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.
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Director:
Kenneth Branagh
Writers: Zach
Stenz (screenplay), Don Payne (screenplay),
Ashley Miller (screenplay), J. Michael Straczynski (story), Mark Protosevich (story),
Stan Lee (comic book), Jack Kirby (comic book), Larry Lieber (comic book)
Cast:
Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston, Colm Feore,
Stellan Skarsgård, Kat Dennings, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg, Jaimie Alexander, Ray
Stevenson, Rene Russo, Tadanobu Asano, Josh Dallas, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L.
Jackson
Producers:
Stan Lee, Kevin Feige, Patricia Whitcher, Mike Bodkin, Craig Kyle, Victoria
Alonso, David Maisel, Debra James, Louis D'Esposito
Cinematographer: Haris
Zambarloukos
Original
Music Composer: Patrick Doyle
Film
Editor: Paul Rubell
Production: Bo
Welch (Production Designer), Maya Shimoguchi, Pierre Buffin, Luke Freeborn, A.
Todd Holland, Kasra Farahani, Sean Haworth (Art Directors), Lauri Gaffin (Set
Decorator)
Costume
Designer: Alexandra Byrne
Running
Time: 1 hour and 55 minutes
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